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President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to dock the pay of air traffic controllers who missed work during the government shutdown. Trump said in a post on Truth Social Monday morning that he was “NOT HAPPY” with controllers who took time off, according to NPR. “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’ “REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.” Controllers are considered essential government employees and required to work without pay during shutdowns. Since the latest shutdown began last month, some have taken second jobs and others have called in sick, according to NPR. Controllers are set to miss their second full paycheck this week, NPR said. While Trump threatened controllers who missed work during the shutdown, he praised those who showed up and said he wanted to give them $10,000 bonuses. “I want to reward the people that showed up without a lot of nonsense, without a lot of talk,” Trump said during an interview with Fox News, according to NBC News. “They did their job and in many cases, they worked longer hours to get us through this period.” Trump said he wasn’t sure how he’d get the money for the bonuses, according to NBC. In response to the shutdown and its effects on the nation’s air travel system, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented mandatory cuts in domestic air traffic that began last week. Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled. Congress is currently working on a plan to reopen the government. The Senate already passed legislation that will fund the government through Jan. 30. The legislation also included three full-year funding bills. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the plan Wednesday. Trump has said he’ll sign it. The current shutdown is the longest in U.S. history.
